This weekend marks my first Mother’s Day. Last year, I remember I had planned to run in the Mother’s Day Classic but came down with the flu the night before and couldn’t do it. This year I have no thoughts of fitness as such, except to perhaps soak in the awesome weather we are having (um, 25C in May?!) and go for a walk. Although I hadn’t really planned for it to be so warm at this time of year so I am trying to squeeze Rehan into some of his newborn clothes. And they fit – just barely. Boy is growing fast.
I’ve already done the mushy post for Rehan’s one month, so really all I can say now is that it feels…strange. That I can now add “mother” to my ever-changing roles. It’s still a side of me that I am coming to terms with, but maybe I’ll grow into it as well. Just hope I can keep up with Rehan!
Links I’m loving this week:
I miss Hong Kong and would love to go back even for a few days – this mini-travel guide for one of my most memorable cities had me nodding and wishing I was back.
I saw this link on a friend’s blog and then shared again on Facebook, and it is probably the hormones but as per everything these days, it brought me to tears. The force of love – whether it’s for a child or anyone else is something to behold.
A beautiful letter from a Dad to his daughter about her future husband (this is of course assuming she is straight and actually going to get married, but you know the sentiment is there )
I have more and more friends of mine these days, taking that deep breath and then the plunge to leave everything and follow their dreams. Even if they don’t know what their dreams are as yet. It both inspires and scares the shit out of me. I thought particularly of this girl when I saw this article, but it applies to anyone who has a friend who has done this.
If you, like me, find the way to people’s hearts are through their stomachs – here is a great list of yummy things to make for that special someone this Mother’s Day. And it doesn’t have to just be your mum – as Annie says “The role of a mother is a big one, no matter who is filling it.” I’m loving the baked French toast.
“The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.” As we get busier and busier, the first thing to go is self-love. This great article from Tiny Buddha shows you how to be kind to yourself in a busy world.
I loved Monsoon Wedding, and this post for Design Sponge’s Living In series reignited that love again. The colours!!!
Happy weekend! I’m just going to come out and say it, because I know y’all are thinking it. Where did January GO?? I think in the drunken mess of holidays and getting back to work and getting back into a routine, the weeks have flown. I’m shaking my head now, but seriously.
THERE ARE HOT-CROSS BUNS IN THE SUPERMARKETS ALREADY!
It’s been a busy week for me, with something happening each night after work (which to this about 8-months pregnant lady is a lot!) and so Evs and I have been looking forward to getting our wind-down on. This week included meeting with a doula (more on this later!), swimming, dinners at the parentals, hospital classes where we attempted to learn how to look after a crying, screaming newborn and a wedding reception where I managed to squeeze myself into a dress (maternity at this stage now!!), some heels and even get up on the dance floor before conking out by 11:30.
Work has been fairly consistent and each week, my heart flutters because it means one more week until I am off on maternity leave! I’m considering starting it a little earlier, given I’ll be about to pop anytime when I go, so want to have some relaxation time before things potentially get moving.
Anyways. Enough about me.
How has your week been, lovelies??
I have some cute links this week, and I hope you get to sit down with your drink of choice and enjoy them.
I don’t want to make you cry on your weekend, but THIS. Brought tears to my eyes and melted my heart. A beautiful reminder to slow down in life.
Oh my lord. I am sure since the days of Mad Men, we have not seen a product like the “BIC Pens For Her”. And so, here comes the 10 best Amazon reviews of this wonderful, life-changing pen* (*That WAS sarcasm there ) I can’t actually decide what my favourite is but it will have you chortling away. (via ThoughtCatalog)
As I get older (and approach the big 3-0!), I tend not to give a shit about many things anymore. Don’t know if I am just getting crotchety in my old age (HA!) but this post from Thought Catalog about 25 things you don’t have to justify to anyone resonated with me.
Evs has been wanting to see Wreck It Ralph (we both have a soft spot for animated films!) and sent me this link to the short animated film made by Disney that I believe comes before or after the movie (can’t remember!). It’s classic Disney – beautiful animation, touching story and a hint of humour.
Ok another video – but this is AWESOME. Somebody obviously much more talented than me made a flipbook of the video clip for Gangnam Style and set it to the music. Pretty amazing. You have GOT to see it.
“Too late, I found you can’t wait to become perfect, you got to go out and fall down and get up with everybody else.” ~ Ray Bradbury. One of things I struggle with a lot is getting started because the timing isn’t ‘perfect’ – so many other things become excuses to why I can’t do things. This great post from Em at Happy Tree Posedebunks the myth of ‘perfect timing’ and explains how to work through that crippling fear. (PS. While you’re there – check out the Real Life Yogi interview I did with Em about all things yoga, pregnancy and how I still consider myself a noob)
Oh man. I am looking forward to the joys that little children will give me. Truly I am. But I foresee many, many embarrassing moments (both for me and the child ) – this post over at Mamamia had be cringing and wondering if it was too late (yep, it is) and laughing my head off. The comments on the post are GOLD.
My stomach still groans at the thought of the sheer amount of food we ate. There is a definite food baby in there nestled in with the real one.
Sunday consisted of an early morning swim, shopping (I bought a cute dress and some denim shorts, plus we got some of our Lanka photos printed!) and then coming home to snooze on the deck, hand over my eyes as the breeze lulled me into slumber and the dogs occasionally wandering by to wake me by licking my face.
But the last three days…
As the years go by, it’s a funny thing when Evs and I realise how much we have changed. Special occasions past would have called for the highest order of extravagance that our salaries could have afforded at that time – gifts a plenty and dinners that we wouldn’t hesitate to drop our wallets at. However, last year we weren’t even together on our anniversary as I geared up to be a bridesmaid and Evs was somewhere in the bush surviving.
This year, in the midst of the excitement of this baby to be arriving – we didn’t plan to go away anywhere. (There was a voice inside my head that said we should have and called it a babymoon, given that this is probably going to be the best I’ll be feeling for a while – but meh). Instead, we – actually I should really say Evs, planned the last three days of travelling in our own Melbourne city, reliving the moments and sights from our relationship and past and focusing on what Melbourne has to offer and does best which is…well…food.
Don’t ever tell me that this boy isn’t romantic. Evs, is a typical Engineer in that he always looks for the solutions first and fluffs over the really meaningful stuff (which is what I’m really trying to get him to notice!).
And I’m not really one to talk but I guess after 5 years of wedded bliss you’d think that there are a few things that I’ve learnt as the years have gone by.
Laugh and laugh often. Evs and I share a very similar sense of humour that we just get. There are many moments when I’ve been mad at him and vice versa and he does something stupid that makes me laugh. Seriously, anger dissolved just like that.
Make room for each other. It was a time of unsettlement and adjustment when we first got married. Things were magnified that never seemed so annoying before. We were both used to living in a certain way without consideration of the other. We had to deliberately make room for each other in our lives and habits. It was an interesting lesson to learn.
Don’t lose yourself. There was a period of time where Evs and I were stuck to each other like glue. Every waking moment we couldn’t bear to be apart. It was enhanced because we did the long distance thing for about 2 years before we got married as well. But soon after exchanging vows, we found that we were both the happiest when we continued pursuing our interests and friends as before. I think this is hugely important – your own happiness still needs to come first.
Sweating the small stuff. Look, shit happens. There are things that I *wish* I could change about Evs like the fact that he can spend 3 hours watching Japanese anime and then come up to bed and read comics for another hour instead of talking to me – but…I let it go. If it really bothers me, then I make a point but little things like leaving the goddamn toilet up (no matter how much it annoys me!!) isn’t worth it to me. The real test is to know that when the big things happen, you’re on the same side. And if there is something that is big enough to argue it out – do it. Nothing worse than bottling feelings inside – they can’t read your mind, and you can’t read theirs.
It’s hard work. But it’s fun as well. I never realised how much this rings true, but like a lot of things, without constant effort and change – things can stagnate. Make the time, make the effort. It’s definitely worth it
I think as time goes on and this new stage in our life, we’re closer than ever. Our relationship has matured and changed since we were both 18 – both for the better and worse. I don’t profess to have all the answers and I’m constantly learning each day. The one thing I know that despite everything and all the changes is that Evs is my very best friend, and that will never change.
What is one lesson you’ve learnt from a relationship/friendship/marriage?
I know that Thanksgiving is a concept foreign to us Aussie folk with all the baffling obsession around turkey, cranberries and pumpkin pie (I mean, I don’t get it. Pumpkin in a pie that is SWEET and tastes good?? I don’t think there is such a thing). And all the porch-sitting naysayers that say we’re taking on too many of the USA’s holidays (I’m looking at you Halloween) think that this is yet another example of that.
Fair enough.
BUT- the thing I want to say is that these US folks got one thing right about this holiday – to be thankful.
2012 has been a year of so, so many changes for me. Ups and downs. New starts and endings.
And in between all of that are the many things that I am thankful for.
One of the best parts of my day is that moment between sleep and waking up when my mind starts to unfuzz itself or wind down and I count the things I am grateful for in that day. It might only be one, it might a lot and I might forget some days – but the days I do remember – I feel light.
And happy.
I’m contemplated starting a gratitude journal to write all these down, and I’m putting that on my Christmas wish list to get one. Right now, my blog will be my journal.
I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, a place I can call my own.
I am thankful for my family – the ones that are related by blood and those that are related by ties just as strong.
I am thankful for the friends that I have made and retained – both in real life and through this blog. Thank you.
I am thankful for the man I chose as my husband as I fall more and more in love with him each day. I can see him as the man he was when we first met, how he has grown in the time we have been together and the man he will be as a father.
I am so thankful for the baby inside me. Right now, this baby is saving my life. My heart overfills with this incredible feeling – I didn’t think it was possible to contain so much inside one heart.
I am thankful for my other babies – my Dexter and Toby puppy – who never fail to make me laugh and always give me unconditional love even when I forget to take them on a walk or yell at them for chewing up my gloves.
I am thankful for my body – that is taking me through this journey of creating another life. It is healthy and strong and it WILL get me through.
I am thankful for good coffee in my beloved city, good food and the many things I love about my Melbourne.
I am thankful for the smell of summer just around the corner, endless sunshiney days and cool treats.
I am thankful for the discovery of non-alcoholic wine. ‘Nuff said.
I am thankful for LIFE itself and the possibility of the future. That I have a CHOICE in my future and while it might be scary to go against the grain – that I have the support to get me through.
First of all, can I say a HUGE Thank You to all of you have messaged, called, sms’d and commented from my last post. I honestly feel truly happy that I could share such important news with you and to have to share my excitement with me – thank you
Now that I feel like I’ve told the world, there’s no escaping that this is happening. I don’t plan to turn this into a baby blog but will naturally share updates and my thoughts throughout this journey. Some of it may be a little more personal than what you are used to seeing here, but I need a place to write down the many, many emotions and thoughts swirling through my head.
Anyways, this weekend will be a fairly quiet one – I’m starting to Spring clean and have a few things around the house that I’ve been procrastinating over and really need to get done (I’m looking at you pile-of-clothes-to-ebay). There will be some shopping because we haven’t done ANY yet – my head is already spinning thinking of everything that we need (This is when a glass of wine would really help. Sigh).
And, of course, some me-time to sink into the couch and relax and just…read.
For you, here are my picks from the week:
As we walk through life, there are many lesson we learn and difference we find. In the end – we are all human. Vienda Maria breaks it down to the simplest of lessons on what it means to be human – something we can all relate to.
I swear I am constantly amazed at the things you learn on the internet. I have no idea why I haven’t hear of this before but this would save me a ton of time when making my..err…our (Evs is protesting!) famous chicken, cherry tomato, mushroom and basil risotto.
So I feel like I’m barely old enough to tie my own shoelaces half the time and now suddenly someone has deemed me responsible enough to own and home and procreate (that’s to say that this is not exclusively mutual but WTF?). From the always thoughtful Thought Catalog, here’s a post on the top 10 signs you’re an adult. I’m kinda embarrassed that half that list I can totally relate to (cue desperate strains of “Forever Young”…).
The more I travel through my own health journey, the more my thoughts around what is healthy surface. I truly believe health and what is considered healthy is quite personal and really only suited to that one person. And more so as I have struggled with IBS and other aliments that have forced me to take a good look at what I was doing to myself. Gena from Choosing Raw has this beautifully eloquent post on body love in the face of illness, but even if you are not physically suffering from something her advice is genuine.
I am still a fledgling mineral foundation user – I love the lightweight feel of it but don’t feel like it gives me enough coverage on THOSE days (That’s what MAC is for!). For those who have been wanting to try it out or just wanting to get some tips – here’s a great post on how to actually put it on properly lol.
For those in-between seasons when the weather can’t quite make its mind up, I find myself turning to comfort food time and time again. This apple and cinnamon breakfast quinoa recipe has me wanting this in big batches with a mug of hot coffee.
And to round off today’s links with a pregnancy theme – here is a site that shows the 50 most awkward pregnancy photos ever. I almost peed a little going through these.
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